Children with suspected Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD), ADHD, intellectual, motor and language delays – or any other child where a concern is raised about their social, emotional, academic or cognitive development – are candidates for a developmental assessment.
A developmental assessment involves creating a map of a child’s life from infancy through childhood, comparing their cognitive, educational and social progress with other children of their age. This involves a detailed history of early development from birth onward, as well as psychometric testing (such as intelligence tests). This may be completed by suitably trained and experienced Clinical Psychologists or Educational and Developmental Psychologists in conjunction with a Paediatrician, Speech Pathologist, Occupational Therapist, and Developmental Optometrist. The aim is to determine where there may be delays in development, and then to build therapy programmes on this.